MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) — On Tuesday, the opposition-led National Assembly voted to initiate impeachment proceedings against Maduro, claiming he had violated democracy, to which the president accused lawmakers of trying to stage a parliamentary coup.
Earlier on Wednesday, opposition leader Henrique Capriles initiated a large-scale peaceful protest across the country to defend the nation’s right to a referendum on Maduro's recall. According to media reports, police in some Venezuelan cities started to use tear gas against the opposition protesters.
"I want us to start a continuous session, to take into account this issue [of political tension]… with more wisdom and with the widest possible evaluation criterion," Maduro said at a Council meeting, as quoted by the AVN news agency. The leader did not specify how often the Council would be convened.
Maduro also expressed regret that the Council meeting was not attended by President of the National Assembly Henry Ramos.
"It is a pity that the president of the National Assembly continues to show lack of respect for the Constitution, and does not want dialogue. Here is his empty chair, I hope that he will start to act sensibly, because we need to strengthen democracy."
Venezuelan opposition has been seeking a referendum to remove Maduro from office. The process to collect signatures for a petition on his recall was halted last week on accusations that the signature gathering was rigged.
